Electrical connector



Nov. 23, 1965 J. R. BAxLEY ETAL ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 4, 1963 INVENTORSI- JAMES R. BAlLEY ROBERT J. BOKOSKY BY.'- WJW/,wf

WILLIAM L. HOEHN ATT'YS J. R. BAILEY ETAL ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Nov. 23, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 4, 1965 mvENToRsi- JAMES R. BAILEY WILLIAM L. HOEHN ATT'YS United States Patent O 3,219,961 ELECTRICAL CNNECTDR Eames R. Bailey, Chicago, William L. Hoehn, Arlington Heights, and Robert 3. Bokosky, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Switchcrai't, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of illinois Filed Feb. 4, 1963, Ser. No. 255,742 9 Claims. (Cl. 339-14) The present invention relates in general to electrical connection devices, and has more particular reference to plug and socket connectors of the sort used to couple cable conductors, especially conductors used for signal transmitting purposes.

In order to minimize interference by electrical impulses emanating from sources outwardly of a signal transmitting cable, the same is commonly provided with a metallic sheath enclosing the cable and its conductors. Such a sheath may be grounded at intervals to shield the cable conductors against impingement there-on of externally generated electrical interference pulsations; and it is obvious that the cable sheath, for the optimum performance of its function, should extend in unbroken fashion, throughout the entire length of the cable.

An important object of the present invention, accordingly, is to provide a cable connector embodying interiittable cooperating parts preferably comprising prong and socket conductor terminals formed for interfitting engagement, in order to electrically connect cable conductors, such terminals being mounted in supporting bodies of insulation enclosed or sheathed in metallic casings, means being provided to electrically connect the sheaths of the cable ends to be connected with such metallic casings, so that, when the connector components are tted together, the metallic casings may be electrically interconnected to form a continuation of the cable sheath at the connection.

Another important object of the invention is to provide means insuring electrical connection between the metallic casings or housings of connector components, when connected, to thereby eliminate the possibility of producing interference pulsations in the conductors of the connected cable, through intermittent making and breaking of electrical contact between the metal casings; a further object being to provide a resilient contact member disposed in position to wipingly engage and electrically connect with both of the metallic casings `of the connector components when coupled together in cable connecting position.

Another important object is to provide simple means for latching a pair of cooperating connector components together in coupled relationship.

Briefly stated, the invention may be embodied in an electrical connector embodying a plug component having a projecting portion sized and congurated for sliding intertitment within the coupling cavity of a cooperating socket component to electrically interconnect contact elements of said components, when the same are coupled together, the plug component embodying a sleeve having an open end and a contact carrying sub-assembly secured therein in position extending outwardly of the open end of the sleeve to form said projecting portion, the sub-assembly embodying a contact carrying core of insulating material, a shell enclosing a core and sized at its opposite ends for snug intertment respectively in said sleeve and in the cavity of the socket component, the shell having perforations formed therein, inwardly of its opposite ends, in position opening upon said sleeve and upon said socket component, the core having a surface depression forming a seat, and a sheet metal bridging electrode secured in said seat, within the shell, and having protuberant portions extending at and formed to project through said perforations and outwardly of said shell in order to make electrical contact with the sleeve and with said socket component within said cavity, when the plug and socket component are in coupled relationship, including a clamp screw Within and operable from outwardly of said sleeve for securing the sub-assembly therein and to electrically connect a grounding terminal of said assembly on the sleeve.

The foregoing and numerous other important objects, advantages and inherent functions `of the invention will become apparent as the same is more fully understood from the following description, which taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the invention.

Referrng to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal, partially sectionalized, view of a cable connector embodying the present invention;

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are perspective views of components of the connector illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are sectional views taken respectively along the line 5 5 in FIG. 3, along the line 6 6 in FIG. 4, along the line 7 7 in FIG. 1, and along the line 8 8 in FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9, 10, 1l, l2 and 15 are perspective views showing the components of the assembly unit illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another aspect of lone of the components illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing another aspect of the component illustrated in FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing another aspect of one of the components illustrated in FIG. 10; and

FIGS. 17 and 18 are sectional views showing modied forms of a connector component.

To illustrate the invention the drawings show an electrical cable connector 21 comprising a pair of cooperating contact carrying assemblies 23 and 23' adapted for mechanical and electrical attachment upon the ends of electrical cables requiring detachable interconnection, the assemblies including contact elements 25 and 25' adapted for connection with the conductors of the cables to be joined, and formed for electrical interconnection when the contact assemblies 23 and 23' are interttingly coupled together.

As shown, the assemblies 23 and 23' may comprise electrical conductor coupling sub-assemblies 23S and 23S and housing components 23H and 23H' in which the subassemblies are firmly mounted and enclosed. The housing components may comprise generally cylindrical metallic sleeves 27 and Z7' having open ends 29, 29', of like diametral dimension and wall thickness and hence adapted for coaxial alinement in end-to-end abutting relationship, as shown in FIG. 1. The ends 31, 31' of the sleeves 27' and 27 remote from the ends 29, 29', may be formed with suitable clamping means 33, 33', for securing sleevelike housing extensions 35, 35' upon and in coaxial alinement with said sleeves and extending outwardly of the sleeve ends 31, 31.

The housing extensions 35, 35' may be formed of any suitable or preferred, preferably synthetic rubber-like material, such as neoprene, said sleeves having cylindrical configuration with other surfaces 37, 37', preferably curvingly tapered inwardly toward the outer ends thereof. The extensions are also preferably formed each with a central channel 39, 39 of cylindrical configuration extending through and opening at the opposite ends thereof, the extensions each having an inwardly extending circular flange 41, 41 formed at its outer end. Circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending ribs 43, 43 may be formed upon the surface of the channels 39, 39', said ribs having ends preferably formed integral with the anges 41, 41', at the outer ends of the extensions, and tapering thence toward and merging with the surfaces of the channels 39, 39' medially of the opposite ends of f2 t the extensions. The ribs 43, 43 tend to strengthen and rigidify the outer ends of the extensions and to grip the outer surfaces of the cables upon which the assemblies 23 and 23' are attached.

The inner ends of the extensions 35, 35' may embody Cylindrical portions 45, 45' of reduced diameter sized to snugly intert within the outer ends of the housing components 27 and 27', circular shoulders 47, 47 being formed in the extensions at the junction of the cylindrical portions 45, 45', with the tapered portions 37, 37', the circular shoulders 47, 47' being sized for abutting engagement with the ends of the sleeves 27 and 27', so that the surfaces 37, 37 of the extensions may form coplanar extensions of the outer surfaces of the sleeves 27 and 27'.

In order to firmly anchor and secure the extensions 35 and 35 in the outer ends of the housing sleeves 27 and 27', the cylindrical portions 45, 45' of the extensions may be formed with oppositely facing arcuate cavities 49, 49 formed in diametrically opposed relation within the outer ends of the sleeves 27 and 27', the cavities being sized and configurated to snugly and interttingly receive correspondingly curved ribs 51, 51. Clamping set screws 53, 53', operable from outwardly of the sleeves 27 and 27', are provided therein, at the ribs 51, 51', in position to clampingly engage the extensions 35, 35' in the cavities 49, 49' in order to hold the same in mounted position," in the outer ends of the housing sleeves 27 and 27', the arcuate metal plates 55, 55 being preferably disposed in the cavities 49, 49' to receive the clamping thrust of the set screws 53, 53'.

The outer extension seating ends of the sleeves 27 and 27' are preferably of identical size and configuration so that the extensions 35 and 35 may likewise be identical. At and inwardly of the inner end of their extension mounting portions, the housing vsleeves 27, 27' may be enlarged internally to provide precisely sized bores 57, 57' and shallow circular seats 58, 58', respectively spaced selected distances from and facing toward the open ends 29 and 29 of the sleeves 27 and 27'. The circular seat 58 may provide seating engagement with an end of a tubular liner 59 of any suitable or preferred insulating material, the sleeve 59 being sized to fit snugly within the bore S7 of the housing member 27 in position extending from the seat 58, toward and terminating inwardly of the Open end 29 of the housing 23H. The circular seat 58 of the housing sleeve 27 serves to engage a peripheral shoulder, formed on the sub-assembly 23S', to hold it in place in the open end of the sleeve, the sleeve, inwardly of the seat 58', having a sized bore 61 smaller than the bore 57' and extending thence inwardly to the curved extension mounting ribs 51' of the housing component 23H. A tubular liner 59', similar to but of slightly smaller diameter than the liner 59 and sized to snugly t within the bore 61 of the housing component 23H', may be seated at one end upon the inner end of the housing extension 35', and may extend thence within the housing component 23H toward the open end 31 thereof.

The sub-assemblies 23S and 23S' may comprise support structures, respectively carrying prong or pin electrodes and pin engaging electrodes constituting the contact elements 25 and 25'. As shown, the pin electrodes 25 may comprise slender cylindrical rods or stems 63 of metal, while the pin engaging electrodes 25' may each comprise a strip of metal foil 65 curved about a longitudinal axis to form an elongated sleeve, with the opposite side edges of the strip in facing registration to define a narrow slit 67 therebetween, one end of the sleeve forming an outwardly flared mouth 69. The other end of the sleeve may be cut back on each side of the slit 67 to form a tongue 71 of semi-circular sectional configuration and a pair of shoulders 73 at the base of the tongue where it joins the strip, said shoulders 73 facing toward the terminal end of the tongue. The sleeve is preferably cylindrical and, diametrically, very slightly smaller than the stem 63, being adapted to expand to slidingly and i frictionally receive the stem 63 when it is pressed axially into the sleeve through the flared mouth 69.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. 4, 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings, the sub-assembly 23S may comprise a cylindrical body 74 forming an electrode carrying frame, the body being formed of any suitable or preferred electrical insulating material and being sized to fit snugly within the housing sleeve 27 in position engaging the outer end of the spacer 59, to thereby hold its opposite end against the inner end of the extension 35. The frame forming body 74 may be provided with a plurality of electrode mounting channels 75 extending therethrough, the axes of the channels extending parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body.

A pin electrode 25 may be mounted in each of the channels 75 which are sized to snugly receive the medial portions 63 of the pins; and the pins may be secured in mounted position, in the body 74, by pressing or swaging integral peripheral ribs 77 in the pins where they emerge at the opposite end surfaces of the cylindrical body 74. The pin electrodes have end portions 79 projecting at one end of the body in position for contact forming insertion in the cylindrical pin engaging electrodes 25 of the subassembly 23S'. The pin electrodes 25 may also have connection end portions 81 projecting at the end of the body 74 remote from the end portions 79, said connection end portions preferably being formed with axial end opening cavities 83, to facilitate connection of cable conductors with the pin electrodes, as by soldering in the cavities 33.

As shown, the sub-assembly 23S may comprise a plurality of electrodes having axes disposed circularly about the longitudinal axis of the body and equally distant therefrom, including a pair of electrodes disposed on diametrically opposite sides of the axis of the body and an electrode having an axis spaced equally from the axes of said diametrically opposed electrodes.

The body 74 may also provide a mounting for a grounding electrode comprising a metal plate 85 of preferably rectangular configuration, said plate having an integral outwardly extending connection ear 87 formed on a side thereof. The body 74 may be formed with a slit channel 89 therein and opening on the side of the body 74 remote from the contact making ends 79 of the electrodes. The slit-like cavity 89 is sized to snugly and slidingly receive the plate 85, which consequently may be assembled therein with the connection ear 87 projecting outwardly of the end of the body 74 adjacent the conductor connecting ends 81 `of the electrodes 25. The body 74 may be formed with a radial socket 91 opening upon its cylindrical side medially between the ends of the body, said socket 91 being sized to loosely receive a grounding screw 93 therein, said grounding screw extending medially through the plate 85 and being threadedly connected therewith. The housing sleeve 27, also, may be provided with an opening 95 therethrough, said opening being of diameter slightly smaller than that of the grounding screw 93 which, in turn, may be formed with a head 97, sized to turn freely within the opening 95, and a circular clamping shoulder 99, surrounding the head in position to seat upon the inner side of the housing sleeve, around the opening 95. The head 97 may be formed, as with a slot, for driving engagement with a turning tool, such as a screw driver.

The housing sleeve 27 and the electrode carrying body 74 of the sub-assembly may be formed with a spline rib 101 on one component, such as the body, and cooperating rib receiving groove 103 on the other component, such as the housing sleeve. The rib and groove are so placed as to determine the orientation of the body 74 when the same is assembled in the end of the housing sleeve, so as to axially aline the grounding screw 93 with the opening 95 in the sleeve 27. The spline rib and groove also determine the position of the pin electrodes 63 about the longitudinal axis of the housing sleeve 27.

As a consequence, after being mounted in the housing sleeve 27, with grounding screw 93 in coaxial alinement with the opening 95, the sub-assembly may be secured in the housing sleeve by applying a screw turning tool through the opening 95 and into engagement with the screw 93, and by then operating the tool to move the screw through the ground plate 85 and radially outwardly of the body 74 until the clamping shoulders 99 of the grounding screw come into engagement with the inner surface of the sleeve 27 around the opening 95, such engagement serving the dual purpose of anchoring the body 74 and the pin electrodes carried thereby firmly in the housing component 23H, while, at the same time, electrically connecting the grounding plate 85 with the housing sleeve 27. The insulating liner 59 is thus held in the bore 57 by and between the member 74 and the inner clamped end of the extension 35, in position surrounding and enclosing the terminal ends 81 of the electrodes 25 and the connection ear 87 of the grounding plate 85.

The sub-assembly 23S' may comprise a support frame embodying a pair of cooperating, preferably cylindrical members 105 and 105 secured together in coaxial end abutting relationship, as by means of a shell 107 preferably of relatively thin gauge sheet metal, such as steel. The members 105 and 105' may be formed respectively with channels 109 and 109' in coaxial alinement for the reception and coniinement of the electrodes 25' in position each to receive and electrically connect with a corresponding one of the pin electrodes 25 of the sub-assembly 23S. To this end, the channels 109 and 109' preferably have cylindrical configuration for the reception of the electrodes 25', the channels being sized to hold the electrodes somewhat loosely for limited movement therein, to allow the electrodes to adjust themselves in the channels for sliding engagement with and the accommodation of the pin electrodes when inserted therein, means being provided at the opposite ends of the alined channels to confine the electrodes 25' against axial displacement from assembled position, without, however, anchoring the electrodes rigidly in the channels.

The members 105 and 105', at their abutting ends, may be provided with an alinement pin or dowel 110, on one member, and a pin receiving socket 110', in the other, the dowel and socket being preferably disposed slightly eccentric with respect to the longitudinal axis of the alined members, in order to facilitate the accurate disposition of the members 105 and 105' and the channels 109 and 109' in coaxial alinement in the assembly.

The member 105 may be generally similar to the body 74 of the pin electrode assembly 23S, but of slightly smaller diameter, the same being sized to snugly fit within the bore 61 of the housing component 23H at and adjacent the circular shoulder 58'. At one end, the member 105 is adapted to abut an end of the insulating liner 59', to hold it in position in the housing sleeve 27 and against the inner end of the extension At its other end, the member 105 may be provided with an integral, outwardly extending, peripheral fiange or bead 113, whereby the members 105 and 105' may be secured together in end abutting relationship, by the shell 107. The member 105 also may be formed with the electrode channels 109 and with Ia slot-like opening 115, corresponding with the terminal seating opening S9 in the body 74 of the sub-assembly 23S.

A grounding plate 117 having a conductor connecting ear 119, like the plate 85 and the ear 87 of the subassembly 23S, may be received in the opening 115 and held in place by a clamping screw 121 having an end of reduced diameter surrounded by a circular clamping shoulder, like the end 97 and the shoulder 99 of the screw 93. The housing sleeve 27' may be provided with an opening 95', like the opening 95 of the sleeve 27, for receiving the reduced diameter end of the set screw 121, in order to hold the sub-assembly 23S', in the yopen end of the sleeve 27', in position to engage the electrodes 25' with the electrodes 25 when the components 23 and 23' are coupled together. The insulating liner 59' is held in the bore 61 by and between the member and the inner clamped end of the extension 35', in position surrounding and enclosing the terminal tongues 71 of the electrodes 25 and the connection ear 119 of the grounding plate 117.

At its end remote from the rib 113, the body 105 may be provided with a pair of crossed ribs 123, as shown more particularly in FIG. 13 of the drawings, said ribs preferably intersecting at right angles and projecting outwardly of the end of the body to define pockets 125er, 125i), 125C and 125d, within the liner 59', into which pockets the channels 109 and 115 open. The channels 109 are shown as opening into the pockets 125:1, 125b, and 125C, while the slot-like channel 115 opens into the pocket 1255i. Although the channels 109 are preferably of cylindrical configuration, to accommodate the electrodes 25', the member 105, at its end remote from the rib 113, may be formed with integral flanges or lugs 127 extending into and partially closing the ends of the channels 109, in position to abut the shoulders 73 of the elements 25', to hold them in the sub-assembly against axial displacement outwardly thereof through said end of the member.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. l0 and 16, the member 105' may be of somewhat elongated cylindrical configuration, to support the forward portions of the sleeve electrodes 25' in the channels 109', which open at the forward end of the member through apertures 129 sized to snugly yet slidingly receive the forwardly projecting portions 79 of the pin electrodes, the apertures 129 being concentric with and of diameter slightly smaller than the channels 109', thereby forming peripheral shoulders 131 surrounding the inner ends of the apertures at the junction thereof with the channels 109', said shoulders forming seats in position to abut the flared ends 69 of the electrodes 25 and confine the electrodes within the channels.

The forward end of the member 105 containing the apertures 129 may be formed with a peripheral groove 133 delining a table `or land 135 upon which the apertures 129 open, said land having generally circular marginal edges of diameter slightly less than that of the member 105'. The land preferably also has a straight chordal side 137 extending in parallel spaced relation with the plane containing the axes of the diametrically oppositely disposed channels 109', said straight side 137 also defining the forward edge of a preferably flat bearing surface 139 formed at the forward end of the member 105' and extending parallel with respect to said plane, said bearing surface 139 including spaced apart wing portions 141 disposed rearwardly of the table or land 135, at the `opposite ends of the side 137. The member 105', also, may be formed with a longitudinally extending channel or groove 143 disposed normally of the bearing surface 139 and extending from the medial portions of said surface, between the wing portions 141, at the forward end of the member, to its opposite end adjacent the dowel 110, said groove having substantial depth at its end adjacent said dowel and including a lioor portion 145 inclined upwardly and loutwardly from. the medial portions of the groove toward the bearing surface 139.

The groove 143 is sized and shaped to receive a manually operable latch member147 and a latch biasing spring 149, the member 147 preferably comprising a molded plastic element forming an elongated strip adapted to extend rockingly in the channel 143 and having youtwa-rdly extending pivot projections 151, at one end, in position for rocking engagement upon the opposite side portions 141 of the bearing surface 139. At its end remote from the pivot projections 151, the latch member may be provided with a thumb pressing portion or finger piece 153, an upstanding latching detent being formed on the latch member intermediate the pivot projections 151 and the pressing portion 153.

The latch biasing spring 149 may comprise a strip of spring metal having a curled end 157 adapted to embrace the pivot end of the latch member, whereby to hold the curled end of the leaf spring in a depressed seat 159 formed in the member 105' between the bearing surface portions 141, at the upper `or forward end of the inclined floor 145 of the channel 1413. From the seat 159, the leaf spring may extend in the channel 143 in position overlying and bearing upon the inclined floor 145, the spring being curved intermediate its ends to present its end, remote from the curled end 157, in position to engage the latch member 147, beneath the pressing portion 153, said latch engaging end of the spring being formed with a bearing portion 161 for engagement with the latch member.

The shell 107 is sized to snugly receive the member 105' therein, said sleeve having a preferably integral, inwardly turned flange 163 formed at one end thereof and defining an opening 135 shaped to receive the land 135, including the at side 137 thereof, so that, when the member 105 is assembled within the shell 107, the land 135 may extend through and outwardly of the flanged end of the shell in position exposing the apertures 129 at said end. The opening 135' preferably has a straight side edge 137' adapted to engage the flat side edge of the land 135 so that the member 105' may be assembled in the shell 107 in a predetermined relative angular or turned position therein; and the shell is formed with a lateral opening 147' through which the detent 155 and the pressing portion 153 of the latch member 147 may project `outwardly of the shell, when the member 105' with latch member and spring 149 mounted thereon are assembled within the shell 107.

The member 105', on its side opposite from the latch receiving groove 143, may be formed with three relatively shallow, spaced, parallel and longitudinally extending surface grooves, including a central groove 165 and a pair of lateral grooves 167 disposed on opposite sides of the central groove, and being separated therefrom by ribs 169, said grooves extending from one end of the member 105 toward and terminating short of its opposite end, said shallow grooves, as shown, having ends terminating short of the `forward end of the member 105', that is to say, the end which is provided with the land 135. At said end the ribs 169 are cut away, as at 171, to laterally join the ends of the grooves 165 and 167. The groove 165 has a shallow portion 173 extending from a location medially of the ends of the member 105 to the end of the groove where it is connected with the lateral grooves 167.

The shallow groove portion 173 forms a seat for a generally T-shaped bridging element 175 of sheet metal having a central leg 177 and a pair of stubby lateral legs 179 joined to the central leg, at one end thereof, by neck portions 181. The element 175 is cylindrically curved to t into grooves of the member 105', with -one end of the leg 177 and the necks 181 seated upon the shallow groove portion 173. When the element is so mounted, the other end of the leg 177 extends to the rear end of the member 105 remote from the land 135, where the leg carries a protuberance 183. The stubby legs 179 extend in the lateral grooves 167 and carry protuberances 183 near the front end of the member 105'.

The shell 107 is adapted to snugly surround the element 175 on the member 105' and to hold the element on the seat provided by the shallow groove portion 173, while the protuberance carrying portions of the legs 177 and 179 extend within and are free to flex in the spaces provided within the shell by the grooves 165 and 167 outwardly `of the shallow seat forming portion 173. The shell 107 is provided with openings 185, 185' through which the protuberances 183 and 183' may project outwardly thereof.

The member 105', with latch means 147, spring 1419 and element 175 mounted thereon, may be assembled in the shell 107 by insertion endwise from the end of the shell remote from the flange 163, until the shoulder 133 of the member seats snugly on the ange of the shell. When so assembled, the open end of the shell will extend outwardly of the rear end of the member. Contact elements 25' may then be mounted in the channels 109' of the member 105', from the rear ends thereof, with the liared ends 69 of the elements seating upon the shoulders 131, and the terminal tongues 71 of the elements projecting from the rear ends of the channels 109'. The member 105, with grounding plate and clamp screw mounted therein, may then be applied against the rear end of the member the tongues 71 of the contact elements extending through and outwardly of the channels 109, the pin 110 mounted in the socket 110' and the peripheral llange 113 disposed within the open end of the shell, which may then be peened, swaged, pressed or lotherwise bent over upon said ilange, as shown at 187, to hold the members 105 and 105' together within the shell 107.

The housing sleeve 27 and the sub-assembly 23S' may be formed with a spline rib 101' on one component, such as the shell 107 of the sub-assembly, and a cooperating rib receiving groove on the other, such as the housing sleeve 27', said groove being like the groove 103 in the sleeve 27. The rib 101 and cooperating groove in the sleeve 27' determine the angular orientation of the sub-assembly 23S' in the housing component 23H' when assembled therein, so as to axially aline the grounding screw 121 with the opening 95' of the sleeve. The spline rib and groove also determine the relative angular position of the electrode elements 25' about the longitudinal axis of the housing sleeve 27'. The sleeve 27', also, is provided with a longitudinal slot 189 opening at the end 29' thereof to receive the outwardly projecting latch linger piece 153, when the sub-assembly is mounted in the sleeve 27.

As a consequence, after being mounted in the housing sleeve 27', with the formed end 187 of the shell 107 engaged in the seat 53', and the grounding screw axially alined with the opening 95', the sub-assembly may be secured in the sleeve 27' by applying a screw turning tool through the opening 95 and then turning the screw 121 to clamp it against the sleeve at the opening. When so mounted, the forward portions of the sub-assembly 23S' project outwardly of the open end of the sleeve, such projecting portions carrying the land containing the prong electrode receiving openings 109', the forward end of the rib 101', and the latch detent 155, as well as the openings 185 and the protuberances 183',which yieldingly project therethrough. Said projecting portions of the sleeve mounted sub-assembly 23S' are of course sized to slidingly iit within the open end 29 of the sleeve 27 of the cooperating contact assembly 23.

Consequently, the components of the connector may be coupled together merely by inserting the projecting portions of .the sub-assembly 23S' into the open end of the sleeve 27 which houses the cooperating sub-assembly 23S. When the parts are thus coupled, it will be noted that the forward end of the rib 101' will enter the forward end of the groove 103 in the sleeve 27 to thereby aline the prong electrodes 25 with the electrode receiving openings 129 and thus guide the prong electrodes into electrical contact with and within the hollow electrode elements 25. At the same time, the latch detent will ride into the open end of the sleeve 27 and latchingly engage in a notch 191 formed in the sleeve 2'7, when the parts are coupled in position with the openends 29, 29 of the sleeve in abutting engagement. When coupled, the parts will be rmly latched together, but the latch may be released to permit separation of the parts merely by pressing the nger piece 153 inwardly to disengage the detent 155 from the notch 191.

It will also be seen that, when the cooperating parts of the connector are coupled, a positive electrical connection will be made between the housing components 23H and 23H' by means of the contact member 175, the protuberances 183 will resiliently press upon the inner surface of the sleeve 27, while the protuberance 183 will resiliently engage with the inner surface of the sleeve 27. The grounding terminals 85 and 117 of course are electrically connected with the sleeves 27 and 27 by means of the clamp screws 93 and 121, and are adapted to be electrically connected with the ground wire or sheath of the cables upon which mounted, the cable conductors, of course, being electrically attached to the contact elements 25 and 25' of the connector components.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show modified socket receptacles of the sort adapted for mounting on panels and which may be used with the coupling component 23 in place of the component 23.

If desired, the bridging electrode 175 may be eliminated and, in place thereof, protuberances, like the protuberances 183 and 183', may be formed directly in the shell 167, in place of the openings 185 and 185', shown in FIG. 14. In such case, the shell 107 may be slit to form resilient tongues therein carrying the protuberances and comparable with the legs 177 and 179 of the bridging electrode, the body 105 being formed with depressions, like the depressions 165 and 167, behind such tongues to receive the same when pressed inwardly by engagement of the protuberances Within the sleeves 27 and 27.

It is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantages will be fully understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts Without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the forms herein disclosed being preferred embodiments for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. An electrical connector embodying a plug component having a projecting portion sized and congurated for sliding interiitment Within the coupling cavity of a cooperating socket component, to electrically connect the electrical contact elements of said components, said plug component embodying a sleeve having an open end and a contact carrying sub-assembly secured therein in position extending outwardly of the open end of the sleeve to form said projecting portion, said sub-assembly comprising a contact carrying core of insulating material, a shell enclosing said core and sized at its opposite ends for snug interftment respectively in said sleeve and in the cavity of the socket component, and a bridging electrode disposed within and enclosed by the shell and embodying protuberances projecting outwardly of said shell, through openings therein, in position to make electrical contact with said sleeve and with said socket component Within said cavity.

2. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bridging electrode is mounted on said core, within and enclosed by the shell, in position presenting said protuberances in said openings for resilient depression inwardly thereof in response to engagement of the protuberances Within the sleeve and the socket component.

3. An electrical connector embodying a plug component having a projecting portion sized and coniigurated for sliding intertment within the coupling cavity of a cooperating socket component, to electrically connect the electrical contact elements of said components, said plug component embodying a sleeve having an open end and a contact carrying sub-assembly secured therein in position extending outwardly of the open end of the sleeve to form said projecting portion, said sub-assembly comprising a contact carrying core of insulating material, a shell enclosing said core and sized at its opposite ends for snug interlitment respectively in said sleeve and in the cavity of the socket component, the shell having perforations formed therein, inwardly of its opposite ends, in position opening upon said sleeve and upon said socket component, the core having a surface depression forming a seat within the shell, and a sheet metal element forming a bridging electrode secured in said seat within and disclosed by said shell, said bridging electrode havingprotuberant portions extending at and congurated to extend through said perforations and outwardly of said shell for the purpose of making electrical contact with said sleeve and with said socket component Within said cavity.

4. An electrical connector embodying a plug component having a projecting portion sized and contgurated for sliding interfitment Within the coupling cavity of a cooperating socket component, to electrically connect the electrical contact elements of said components, said plug component embodying a sleeve having an open end and a contact carrying sub-assembly secured therein in position extending outwardly of the open end of the sleeve to form said projecting portion, said sub-assembly comprising a contact carrying core of insulating material, a shell enclosing said core and sized at its opposite ends for snug intertment respectively in said sleeve and in the cavity of the socket component, the shell having perforations formed therein, inwardly of its opposite ends, in position opening upon said sleeve and upon said socket component, the core having a surface depression forming a seat within the shell, and a sheet metal element forming a bridging electrode secured in said seat within and enclosed by said shell, the sheet metal element having a medial portion secured in said seat and carrying a protuberant portion in position to engage said sleeve, and arms extending outwardly of said medial portion and carrying each a protuberant portion in position to engage said socket, said core being formed with depressions behind said arms and medial portion to receive the same when resiliently depressed by engagement of the protuberant portions within the sleeve and socket.

5. An electrical connector embodying a coupling cornponent adapted to be matingly coupled with a cooperating component to electrically interconnect the contact elements of the components when the same are coupled together, said coupling component embodying a sleeve of electrical conducting material having a lateral opening and a contact carrying sub-assembly secured in said sleeve, at said lateral opening, and comprising a contact carrying core of insulating material, a grounding lug of electrical conducting material formed with a threaded opening and secured on said core, and a clamp screw of electrical conducting material threadedly connected in said threaded opening and turntable therein for movement radially outwardly of said core to clampingly engage with the inner surface of said sleeve, at said lateral opening, to secure the sub-assembly in the sleeve and to electrically connect the sleeve with the grounding lug, said lateral opening affording access of a screw turning tool therethrough, from outwardly of the sleeve, in position to drivingly engage the clamp screw.

6. An electrical connector embodying a coupling component adapted to be matingly coupled with a cooperating component to electrically interconnect the contact elements of the components when the same are coupled together, said coupling component embodying a sleeve having a lateral opening and a contact carrying sub-assembly secured in said sleeve at said lateral opening and comprising a contact carrying core of insulating material, a clamp member formed with a threaded opening secured to said core, and a clamp screw threadedly connected with said clamp member at said threaded opening, said clamp screw being turnable in said threaded opening for movement radially outwardly of said core to clampingly engage the screw with the inner surface of said sleeve, at the lateral opening, to secure the sub-assembly in said sleeve, said sleeve being of electrical conducting material and the clamp member forming a grounding lug, said clamp screw when in clamping engagement with said sleeve serving to electrically connect the sleeve with said grounding lug.

7. An electrical connector embodying a coupling cornponent adapted to be matingly coupled with a cooperating component to electrically interconnect the contact ele-ments of the components when the same are coupled together, said coupling component embodying a sleeve having a lateral opening and a contact carrying sub-assembly secured in said sleeve at said lateral opening and comprising a contact carrying core of insulating material, a grounding lug extending in a pocket formed in said core, and a clamp screw threaded in said lug and extending thence in a transverse -bore opening at the side of the core to secure the lug in said pocket, said clamp screw being turnable in said lug for movement radially outwardly of the core and into clamping engagement with the inner surface of the sleeve at said lateral opening, to thereby secure the sub-assembly in the sleeve and electrically connect the grounding lug with the sleeve.

8. An electrical connector embodying a pair of cooperable socket and plug components respectively providing a cavity and a projecting portion sized and congurated for snug sliding intertment within said cavity to matingly couple said components together and to electrically interconnect the contact elements thereof, one of said components comprising a sleeve of electrical conducting material having a lateral opening and a contact carrying sub-assembly secured in said sleeve, at said lateral opening, and comprising a contact carrying core of insulating material, and a clamping screw threadedly connected in and turnable for movement radially outwardly of said core into clamping engagement with the inner side of said sleeve, at said lateral opening, to secure the sub-assembly in said sleeve.

9. An electrical connector embodying a pair of cooperable socket and plug components respectively providing a cavity and a projecting portion sized and congurated 12. for snug sliding interfitment within said cavity whereby Vsaid components are adapted to be matingly coupled together to electrically interconnect the contact elements of said components, said components each embodying a sleeve of electrical conducting material having an open end and a contact carrying sub-assembly secured in said sleeve, at said open end, the sub-assembly comprising a contact carrying core of insulating material, a clamp screw threaded in said core in axial registration with an opening in said sleeve, said screw having an end formed for engagement with a screw turning tool applied through said opening, and a shoulder in position to clampingly engage the inner face of said sleeve around said opening to .thereby secure the core in the sleeve when the screw is turned in one direction and to release the core for re moval from the sleeve, when the screw is turned in the reverse direction. Y

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,933,272 10/1933 Leuvelink et al 339-105 2,183,651 12/1939 Langston et al. 339-91 2,869,095 1/1959 Arson 339-61 3,046,512 7/1962 Remke et al 339-14 3,074,589 1/1963 Chaney 285-404 X 3,096,135 7/1963 Feustel et al 339-186 3,099,506 7/ 1963 Tuchel 339-143 ALBERT H. KAMPE, Primary Examiner.

JOSEPH D. SEERS, DONLEY J. STOCKING, W.

DONALD MILLER, Examiners. 

1. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR EMBODYING A PLUG COMPONENT HAVING A PROJECTING PORTION SIZED AND CONFIGURATED FOR SLIDING INTERFITMENT WITHIN THE COUPLING CAVITY OF A COOPERATING SOCKET COMPONENT, TO ELECTRICALLY CONNECT THE ELECTRICAL CONTACT ELEMENTS OF SAID COMPONENTS, SAID PLUG COMPONENT EMBODYING A SLEEVE HAVING AN OPEN END AND A CONTACT CARRYING SUB-ASSEMBLY SECURED THEREIN IN POSITION EXTENDING OUTWARDLY TO THE OPEN END OF THE SLEEVE TO FORM SAID PROJECTING PORTION, SAID SUB-ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CONTACT CARRYING CORE OF INSULATING MATERIAL, A SHELL ENCLOSING SAID CORE AND SIZED AT ITS OPPOSITE ENDS FOR SNUG INTERFITMENT RESPECTIVELY IN SAID SLEEVE AND IN THE CAVITY OF THE SOCKET COMPONENT, AND A BRIDGING ELECTRODE DISPOSED WITHIN AND ENCLOSED BY THE SHELL AND EMBODYING PORTUBERANCES PROJECTING OUTWARDLY OF SAID SHELL, THROUGH OPENINGS THEREIN, IN POSITION TO MAKE ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH SAID SLEEVE AND WITH SAID SOCKET COMPONENT WITHIN SAID CAVITY. 